Niggle gets Harry in the swing of things

Sydney FC and Gold Coast United fought out a torrid scoreless draw at Skilled Park yesterday. Sydney were denied a late goal for being offside in a match where tensions ran high for the 90 minutes.

Meanwhile,
Harry Kewell
produced his most whole-hearted performance for Melbourne Victory on Saturday, though he was unable to stop his side giving up yet another lead to a late equaliser.

After a cumbersome first 20 minutes in which he should have put Victory ahead with a clear first minute chance and his first touch appeared heavy, Kewell found his rhythm.

After he jinked his way past two defenders before being fouled, Kewell uncharacteristically traded a few swinging elbows with Adelaide United midfielder Zenon Caravella as the Reds player attempted to stop him taking a quick free kick.

The dust-up appeared to lift the 33-year-old who, aside from glimpses of his best in the first part of the season, has not truly lit up the league.

What followed was Kewell making intelligent runs, scything past defenders and getting several good scoring chances, with only Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic’s brilliance denying him.

“Just the way he went about his job, he was brilliant," Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic said of Kewell.

Kewell looked set for his first goal from open play with a quality lob on the stroke of half-time.